A Life Promise Fulfilled To A Young Believer (and Slacker)

Psalm 128

128 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
² When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
⁴ Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
⁶ Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!

The above verse is a life verse for me - one that I was given in prayer and have clung to for around 12 years now.  As a relatively new, but very serious Christian those years ago,  I was a frustrated college grad who couldn't see any path forward in life.  I was single, but desperately wanted to be married.  I was working, but did not love my work or vocation.  In reality, it was my character that was very weak and immature.  However, I did love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

In prayer, I was led to open the Bible to this Psalm and when I read it, I cried and cried.  I didn't know how a life like this would be obtained because it seemed so far away, yet it was exactly what I yearned for.  A wife, healthy children, a house, and a vocation that would provide and be fulfilling.  Nothing fancy, but seemingly impossible for that young man all those years ago.

The Potter only had a lump of clay to start out with -- but little did I suspect that He would do so much...

He started with my character -- as much as I have been able, I have tried to maintain my fear of the Lord over the years.  Over that time period, I remained very single for another 4 years, but learned to give and serve others in volunteering.  Via missions, I was led to live abroad and Japan and the Philippines, eventually meeting my future wife in my travels. 

I moved back into my old career that I thought I hated as a young man, but approached it with a renewed passion for excellence and as a consequence, I have reached new heights in both competence, compensation, as well as fulfillment.

I have gotten married to a woman beyond my wildest dreams, and now have two beautiful, miraculous children.

I have a house to raise a family in...one that we call our own.

This simple Psalm, whose promises are still yet to be fully realized, has been an amazing promise of blessing to my life. Yet, the reader will notice that it is addressed to anyone who fears the Lord.  It is a general promise from God that is available to all.  

I still consider myself far from fully shaped and I know that it is through the challenges of life, not the pleasures of life, that we are shaped and improved.  I have also discovered that my biggest blessings are also my biggest trials (work, marriage, kids).

As I marvel at the blessings of God...I am in awe and awash with gratitude.  And I look forward to each day that comes and try my best to obey Him in all I do.